Islampur, 16th January: In a shocking incident, an undertrial prisoner managed to escape while being transferred from Islampur to the Raiganj correctional facility, after firing at two policemen accompanying him. The incident has left the police department in turmoil, and an investigation is underway to uncover the details of this daring escape.
The accused, Razzaq Alam, along with two women and another youth, had been brought from the Raiganj correctional facility to Islampur court for a hearing. On the evening of January 15, as they were being returned to the Raiganj Correctional Home in a police van, Alam managed to open fire on the officers. He took advantage of the moment when he was allowed to get down from the vehicle to defecate and, in a swift move, fired three rounds at the police.
The two policemen, Nilkanta Sarkar and Deben Baishya were seriously injured in the attack. They have been immediately taken to a private hospital in Matigara, Siliguri, where they are undergoing treatment. Their condition remains critical but stable.
Upon receiving news, senior police officials rushed to the hospital to inquire about the injured officers. North Bengal IG Rajesh Kumar Yadav, along with Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar, arrived at the hospital to assess the situation and gather further details on the incident. The officers also reviewed the preliminary findings of the investigation.
Speaking to the media, IG Rajesh Kumar Yadav explained that the escape unfolded when Alam, taking advantage of a brief stop, fired at the policemen. The firearm, which had not been detected during routine checks, was reportedly hidden in a blanket, according to initial investigations. Alam managed to abscond after the attack, raising questions about the security lapses during the prisoner transfer.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the handling of undertrial prisoners and the security protocols followed by the police. Authorities are now focusing on how the accused was able to conceal a firearm during the transfer and what led to the breach of security.
A full investigation is underway, and the police are making every effort to apprehend the escaped prisoner, Razzaq Alam, who is now on the run. The department is also reviewing prisoner transportation procedures to ensure such an incident does not occur again.
The entire police force in North Bengal is on high alert as the search for Alam intensifies. Meanwhile, the injured officers are receiving support from their colleagues and the community as they recover from the traumatic incident.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.